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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-16-2002 08:28 PM

Peter_pan

Free boat for me - lots of questions

HI
HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA ,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,H A,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,HA,
Boy was that a good laugh!
Jim

11-09-2002 11:49 AM

kokopelli9

Free boat for me - lots of questions

I have a 5HP long shaft Tahatsu Outboard on my Precision 23. It has been an absolutely terrific motor and the 5hp has gotten me where I wanted to go just fine!

11-09-2002 09:05 AM

tho52mas

Free boat for me - lots of questions

WOW. WHat a great opportunity for someone who knows so little. First, TAKE THE BOAT. Next find out how much it would cost to have it scrapped. THat becomes your base. Then clean the bottom, yourself. What a better way to learn about everything!!1. Have some look at it for blisters etc. and either repair it yourself or have some else do it. Then go to the topsides. Does she need paint? I painted my 37''s hull with 1 quart of paint. Get one part and thin it 60%. Paint put paint on it with a roller, then take it off or spread it with a foam brush. Do the topsides too. Then, have someone with a sailboat look at her and tell you what she needs. ASK any sailboat owner. You will get a lot of info for free and only YOU will be able to digest it and figure out what really needs to be done. Look at it this way, what better way to learn EVERYTHING. How fun!!!!!1

07-04-2002 06:48 AM

scuppers

Free boat for me - lots of questions

Here''s a question that no one has addressed, but IMHO is REALLY important: does the current owner have the title work for the boat, AND is the title free and clear of all liens? If the answer is no, run away as fast as you can. An untitled boat will likely prove to be more stress than the boat is worth (depending on your state''s titleing process, of course.)

Fair winds, in any case.
--scuppers

07-02-2002 10:04 AM

joshuaheard

Free boat for me - lots of questions

Good idea to join a sailing club. I joined a sailing club for a year before buying a boat. It is cheaper, no maintenance, and you can practice on someone else''s boat (usually with instruction). Plus, you can see if you sail enough to justify purchasing.

07-02-2002 09:45 AM

jiffy

Free boat for me - lots of questions

Thanks for all the replies so far. I am getting less sure about this as time passes. I have yet to hear from the person who supposedly needs to get rid of this boat so badly, and I think I am changing my mind.

I have decided it would make a lot more sense for someone with my limited experience and funds to first get some schooling on the matter. I will be taking a basic keelboat course next weekend and joining a local sailing club. Hopefully within a couple of months I can get bareboat certified and just rent boats for a while.

It seems like probably the best idea for me. I will get to learn, sail many different sizes and models of boats, and depart from different ports. For the amount I would have been paying for the slip I had waiting for me, I can rent a 28'' boat for 24 hours twice a month.

Of course I am still interested in looking at the boat. For all I know, "a lot of work" means there is a scratch in the wood on the nav table and a rip in the upholstery. If it seems like a steal I will still take it, but I have no reason to believe it is anything more than a neglected project boat which would be more of a headache than it''s worth.

After all, what I really want is not to own a boat so I can feel cool, it''s to get out on the water and GO SAILING!

07-01-2002 11:33 AM

joshuaheard

Free boat for me - lots of questions

I was in a similar situation, having been offered a 25'' Catalina for next to nothing. It had been neglected for several years. I had the boat hauled. The boat yard scraped the ecosystem living on the bottom of the boat and discovered many blisters. They ground out and fared the blisters, painted the bottom, and buffed the gel coat. This cost around $2,000.

Find a cheap boat yard in your area and get a worst-case estimate.

I also had to buy an outboard. Check the boat manufacturer''s website for details about your boat. Catalina recommended a 9.9 long shaft outboard. I found a used one, but it was difficult. I paid about $400 for the outboard and another $400 for the boat yard to do maintenance on it.

Don''t have a survey done, it is not worth the money on a small boat that you are getting for free. If there is something major wrong with the boat, just sell it for what you put into it.

I put a lot of work into my boat. Be prepared to do alot of work yourself. I re-did the teak, and made lots of minor repairs. The total amount of money I have put into the boat is still less than what I see other boats like mine selling for. Make that your limit. Boats are like cars, they are not an investment, but an expense. However, you can have a decent sailboat for a little money. You will sail alot more and have pride of ownership.

Good luck.

06-26-2002 02:03 PM

hamiam

Free boat for me - lots of questions

A boat survey is similar to a home inspection. The surveyor goes thru the boat stem to stern and points out any problems and gives you a detailed report. I would guess that it would cost you under $200 and, in my opinion, is the best money you can spend. You don''t want to acquire the boat and find out that it has a massive blister problem or structural damage. Check out either (or both): www.marinesurvey.org or namsurveyors.org / Both shud have a surveyor in your area that you can call.

06-26-2002 12:31 PM

jiffy

Free boat for me - lots of questions

Thanks for all the answers so far.

I just called my insurance guy and he said he doesn''t need a survey to insure it.

I am absolutely certain she is trying to get out of paying the costs associated with keeping it. I have no disillusions of her just wanting to help me out. She must be paying at least $250/month on a boat she claims to have originally paid only $300 for, so it''s easy to understand.

So anyway, now I have a new question. What exactly would a survery tell me, and how much might it cost for a boat this size?

06-26-2002 10:19 AM

hamiam

Free boat for me - lots of questions

First of all a "free boat" is an oxymoron. (Sorry to be harsh.) You may get the boat for free, put $10000 into it, and have a $5000 boat at the end. People often give away boats; its not usually out of the kindness of their hearts. Its to save on the costs associated with keeping the boat. I would take a look at the boat and, if you think it has some merit, have a surveyor look at it. You will need a survey to insure it anyway. Good luck.

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